Our View: Remembering MLK Jr. in Easter pluses

Fifty years ago this week the nation and world lost one of its preeminent activists for equal rights.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was gunned down on April 4, 1968, in a world much different than the one in which we live today.

As Christians around the world celebrate Easter this weekend, we can think of no better message of love and peace than the one pushed by this titan of the civil rights movement. As we face stark divisions across this country today, some of the lesser-remembered parts of his famous speech seemed especially relevant.

"Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protests to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force."

Let us all strive to engage one another on a higher plane of discussion. One in which we start from a place of trying to understand competing views instead of instant demagoguery. For to truly solve problems in this nation, empathy and compassion are critical.

We thank Dr. King for calling attention to the racial inequities of his day, many of which remain with us. Let us remember his death by trying to live by his enlightened philosophy.

Plus for marchers

And speaking of peaceful protest, a plus to the numerous students who participated in the local March for our Lives in Newark last weekend. Speaking out for what you believe is always difficult, especially when many in the community take issue with the focus of your event.

We hope the students' efforts can lead to an actual dialogue on how to prevent mass shootings, including reasonable efforts to keep those who shouldn't have guns from having them. As we've written before, that includes background checks on all weapons purchases.

Most importantly, we hope in the spirit of Dr. King that those who took issue with the march would make an effort to explain their reasons with the students and not simply mock them on social media.

Plus for Boys & Girls Club

Major plus goes out to those who have laid the groundwork for the creation of the Boys and Girls Club of Newark.

Sarah Wallace, chairwoman of the Evans Foundation, announced plans last month to use the former Maholm Elementary School to house the club when it expects to open in 2019. The local club will be able to serve about 200 children a day, with a staff of about 15 to 20.

Thanks also to Sen. Jay Hottinger and Rep. Scott Ryan for helping secure $750,000 in state money to finance the organization. It will be a welcome addition to the city to help kids grow into great adults.

Happy spring holidays

And finally, as many celebrate Easter or Passover this weekend, we wish you all a blessed time with friends and family.